Macy’s Sprinkler System Kept Fire from Spreading

On October 26, 2013 a fire which broke out at the world famous Macy’s department store in Herald Square, NYC was brought under control without the loss of life. FDNY spokesman Jim Long was quoted as saying:

“…the building’s sprinkler system kept the fire from spreading.”

Firefighters respond to a reported second alarm fire at the Macy’s flagship Herald Square store, Friday, Oct. 25, 2013, in New York. The two-alarm blaze broke out about 8:15 p.m. Friday in the basement of the iconic department store on 34th Street in Manhattan. The building was evacuated, and the fire was out by about 9:15 p.m. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

A small blaze broke out in Macy’s flagship store in midtown Friday night, but the fire was contained before it could cause any serious damage, officials said.

FDNY officials said the fire started in a basement mechanical room inside the Herald Square store at about 8:15 p.m. When heavy smoke started pouring through the vents, the building was evacuated, officials said. More than 100 firefighters put the fire out without incident, and the building’s sprinkler system kept the fire from spreading and no one was injured, said FDNY spokesman Jim Long.

A Macy’s spokeswoman said customers were allowed back in to pick up their belongings once the fire was out, but the store closed for the rest of the night. The cause of the blaze was under investigation Friday night.

The building was evacuated and it took less than an hour for the fire to subside. Customers were permitted to retrieve their belongings, but the store was closed for the rest of the night; firefighters say no serious damage was done.

Don’t forget the world-famous annual 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be held November 28th on NBC from 9AM until 12PM EST.